Together they walked on, their steps steady, their purpose shared, and the future, bloody though it might be, drawing ever closer.
But one vision kept entering his mind, no matter how busy the day was, that of the feisty village girl, Eva.
Why do I want to see her again, so soon?
CHAPTER TEN
Eva sat between the two beds that had been prepared for her family, her hands resting in her lap as she listened to their shallow breaths. The chamber was far grander than anything she had seen in her life, with heavy embroidered drapes and a carved oak hearth glowing softly in the corner. The scent of herbs simmering somewhere nearby filled the warm air, easing her anxiety only a little. She kept glancing between her mother and brother, waiting for any sign of change.
A soft knock preceded the creak of the door as Nina entered, moving with slow, measured steps. The healer was small in stature, her back bent slightly with age, and her silver hair braided down her spine like a rope of frost. Deep wrinkles framed her sharp eyes, which gleamed with practiced wisdom and unshakable calm. Her hands, though gnarled at the knuckles, moved with precise confidence as she set her satchel on a small table.
“I brewed up a proper concoction for the two of them,” Nina said. “This should keep the fever away and steady their breathin’. Yer family will mend under proper care.”
“Thank ye,” Eva replied softly, rising from her stool. “I cannae tell ye how much this means. They’ve suffered enough these past days.”
“Och, lass,” Nina murmured, patting her arm. “It’s me duty to look after the sick, especially special guests of the laird. Ye’re under his roof now, and that means ye’re under me care.”
Nina moved to Annabeth first, brushing a strand of hair from her pale forehead before lifting her chin gently. Her eyes narrowed in focus as she studied the woman’s pulse, then she nodded to herself, satisfied. She poured a carefully measured dose of her mixture into a cup, waiting until Annabeth’s lips parted in a faint stir. The sound made Eva jolt, and she rushed to her mother’s side instantly.
Annabeth’s eyelids fluttered before she forced them open, her gaze dazed and unfocused. Her lashes trembled as she tried to orient herself, confusion pulling at the corners of her mouth. She looked from wall to wall as though the room itself frightened her. When her gaze finally landed on Eva, her expression softened with faint relief.
“Where… where are we?” Annabeth whispered, her voice thin. “What happened, mo chridhe? Everythin’ feels wrong.”
“Maither, easy now,” Eva said, taking her cold hand between both of hers. “We’re in the castle, in the Laird’s keep. I, I came here last night to steal yarrow, hopin’ it would break yer fevers.”
“Steal?” Annabeth rasped, trying to push herself up before falling back against the pillows. “Eva, what madness was that? Why would ye bring yerself to such danger?”
“I had nay choice,” Eva murmured, brushing her thumb over her mother’s knuckles. “Ye and Jason were burnin’ up, and the village had nothin’ left. I went to the Laird’s stores, but he caught me… and said I must marry him or face punishment.”
Annabeth’s eyes went wide, a sheen of tears gathering like dew on glass. Her breath stuttered as she looked at her daughter with disbelief and horror mingled together. Her lips trembled as she turned her face away for a moment, gathering what little strength she had. When she looked back, her voice cracked.
“Oh, me poor lass,” she whispered. “I should’ve never let it come to this. I’ll beg him meself, tell him to free ye from such a fate. I’ll crawl on me knees if that’s what it takes.”
“Nay, Maither,” Eva said firmly, squeezing her hand gently. “I want to be in this position. Aye, I was shocked first, but now I see how much good can come from it.”
“Eva, ye daenae ken what ye’re sayin’.” Annabeth’s voice trembled, her eyes filling again. “The Laird is known for his temper, known to be a cruel man when crossed. Ye’re too gentle a lass for such hardness.”
“Maither, listen to me,” Eva insisted, leaning closer. “We’re here because of him. Ye’re gettin’ the best healer in the Highlands, and Jason has warmth and medicine for the first time in days.”
Annabeth buried her face in her hands as a sob escaped, fragile and exhausted. Her shoulders shook under the blankets, and guilt pressed heavily into every line of her expression. Eva wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close despite the frailty of her body. The fire crackled in the hearth, its glow brushing both their faces with warmth.
“I’m sorry,” Annabeth cried. “I’ve failed ye as a maither. Ye deserved a safe life, nae one tied to a man feared by half the Highlands. Oh, Eva, what have I done to ye?”
“Daenae fash yerself, Maither,” Eva whispered, stroking her hair. “I made a promise to him, and I plan to keep me word. I’m stronger than ye think.”
“Ye daenae understand the man ye’re bindin’ yerself to,” Annabeth pleaded. “Laird McClaren has a reputation as cold as the northern winds. Folk say he’s ruled more by vengeance than kindness.”
“Maybe,” Eva said softly, lifting her chin. “But I saw somethin’ different in him. He helped me without complainin’, carried water with his own hands from the village well… that’s nae the work of a heartless brute.”
Annabeth shook her head weakly, unable to accept it. Her gaze drifted toward Jason’s still form, worry twisting her features intosomething tight and raw. She wiped at her eyes with trembling fingers, then looked back at Eva with pleading urgency. The room felt heavy with the weight of a mother’s fear.
“Even if he showed ye kindness once,” Annabeth whispered, “it might’ve been a moment’s whim. Men like him ken how to hide their tempers until the vows are made. I daenae want ye trapped, Eva. I daenae want ye broken.”
“I’ll nae break,” Eva said, voice quiet but firm. “I can handle him, and I’ll prove it. He’s nae what the rumors say, nae entirely.”
“Rumors start from truth,” Annabeth insisted. “Folk whisper he’s haunted by rage, that he hunts the ones who wronged him with nay mercy. Are ye ready to live beside such fire?”
“Aye,” Eva answered without hesitation. “If that fire keeps ye alive, keeps Jason alive, then I’ll stand right beside it. I’ll nae turn away from a chance to save us all.”
